Gators Ranked No. 1 In Latest Collegiate Baseball/espn Poll

SPORTS THIS MORNING

February 21, 1989

The attention of baseball fans is on the state of Florida, as major-league clubs are beginning spring training. But discerning fans are looking at the state as the site of top-flight college baseball, as evidenced by the Collegiate Baseball/ESPN poll released Monday.

Florida (11-0), off to the best start in school history, is ranked No. 1. Miami (7-2) is second and FSU (7-2) fifth. FSU's losses are to Florida.

Florida Coach Joe Arnold: ''We are very excited about being ranked No. 1. It has been a long time since the baseball program has earned that status since 1965. This is what every school in the nation strives for.''

In the Baseball America poll, Mississippi State (0-0) is ranked first, with Miami second, Florida third and FSU ninth.